If you are not able to work because of an injury or illness that took place at work in Monterey Park, you might be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. When a workplace injury happens, you may find yourself missing out on paychecks, accumulating medical bills, and being overwhelmed with paperwork. This can be an extremely difficult and uncertain time.
Fortunately, California law protects workers from negative fallout related to job injuries by requiring employers to carry workers compensation insurance.
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that is purchased by an employer to protect their workers from job-related injuries and illness. It provides a safety net for injured employees to ensure they are not left with no job and no money while trying to recuperate from an injury. Some jobs can be dangerous, and it should not be the responsibility of the worker to manage all the repercussions that come with an injury.
Under the California Workers' Compensation Act, individuals that are hurt at work can receive different types of financial support to cover their injury-related expenses. This includes:
Unlike a personal injury case, workers can qualify for benefits regardless of being at fault for a work-related incident. However, injured employees can not recover compensation for damages normally awarded in a personal injury case.
Accidents and injuries occur everywhere, even on the job. This is especially true in certain professions and industries, such as:
But the fact is, accidents can occur even in fairly tame work environments.
For instance, even an office worker can be hurt on the job. Sitting at a computer all the time can create injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or vision problems. Or there could be a slippery floor or a staircase that can cause a fall. If these injuries go without proper medical attention, they can result in further more serious injuries down the line.
The top three leading causes of job-related injuries make up more than 84% of all nonfatal injuries on the job. This includes:
Overexertion injuries can occur when a worker uses excessive physical effort to do a task and gets hurt. This includes lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Repetitive motion caused by stress or strain on some part of the body is because of the repetitive nature of the task. Common repetitive tasks include lifting boxes, typing on a computer, using a ten-key machine, sitting for long hours, and working on an assembly line.
Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent on-the-job injuries. They represent 25% of annual injury claims, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Falls at work include falling from slippery floors, from tripping, and from heights like ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or other structures.
Contact with equipment and objects refers to injuries that occur when a person is hit by something or runs into something. This can include a worker being struck by a moving object, running into or being pushed in front of an object, being crushed in equipment, or being caught in cable or rope. It might also include incidents like an employee being struck or crushed by collapsing structures, equipment, or materials.
In addition to being hurt, employees can also get sick with an illness due to their job. When this happens, workers compensation insurance is designed to help cover some of the costs.
Job-related illnesses include diseases that arise from dangerous work environments or workplace exposures. Some common illnesses that happen on the job include:
Situations involving work-related illness are complex for a few different factors. One of the main reasons is that you will need to prove that your illness was caused by your job, and not from some other factor like genetics or something that happened during your personal time. This is even more complicated by the fact that many illnesses develop gradually, which makes them harder to recognize and to identify the origin.
If you get hurt in the course of your employment, you should always report the accident, injury, or illness as soon as possible to your employer. This is necessary even if an injury seems minor. This, because injuries that seem minor at first can become much more serious in the coming days or weeks.
For example, an injury that might feel like only a strained muscle can end up being a sign of long-term nerve damage. Or a sore lower back from lifting a heavy object could be a disc herniation that needs surgery.
Furthermore, you should always have a job-related injury evaluated by a doctor. This is the only way to learn the extent of your injury, and what can be done to recuperate. This is particularly important for stress or repetitive motion injuries. Here, making changes in the ergonomic environment might not only heal the injury, but help to prevent injuries to others. Further, to protect the long-term ability of an employee to maintain and continue in their job.
Lastly, waiting too long to report an injury at work may seize your right to claim any kind of workers' compensation benefits.
Consequently, if you suffer an on-the-job injury in Monterey Park, get in touch with the personal injury attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez in Monterey Park . Do not go through these hard times alone. We are here to assist you with your claim. We know the causes and impacts of job accidents and injuries. Also, we understand the laws and regulations related to workers' compensation in California and will work to maximize the compensation you receive.
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